WASHINGTON — There was something different about the iris and quince blossoms in the flower arrangements at the state dinner for France at the White House this year: They were grown in the United States, not overseas.
The change is a result of pressure on the White House from the determined American cut-flower lobby, which argues that if Michelle Obama is going to showcase locally grown food and American wine, she can do the same for the hundreds of flowers, traditionally changed weekly, in the White House’s state rooms, West Wing and private quarters and, when it is in use, at Camp David.
Although at least one Washington-area wholesaler says the White House tries to use American flowers when possible, for several decades the tiny White House flower shop, tucked away on the ground floor, has been heavily dependent on imported blooms.
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